Akhtar Abdur Rahman

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GeneralAkhtar Abdur Rahman Khan (Urdu: اختر عبد الرحمن) (b. 11 June 1924 – 17 August 1988), born in Peshawar, was a 4-star general in the Pakistan Army. He served as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee from 1987–1988 and as Director-General Inter-Services Intelligence from 1980-1987. As DG ISI General Akhtar masterminded the Afghan Jehad against the Soviet Union by supporting the Afghan Mujahideen and eventually managed to force the Soviets out of Afghanistan. A close aide of President Zia-ul-Haq, General Akhtar was known as the second most powerful man in the country during Zia's eleven-year dictatorship. He died in a mysterious plane crash that also killed Zia and many other top Pakistani generals heading the Soviet war in Afghanistan, as well as the US Ambassador to Pakistan Arnold Lewis Raphel. General Akhtar's sons Humayun and Haroon are prominent politicians in Pakistan. Humayun Akhtar Khan has previously served as a Federal Minister while Haroon Akhtar Khan is currently a Senator.

Military career

After his Masters Degree in Economics (1945) from Government College, Lahore, General Akhtar joined the Army on 16 February 1947, before becoming Captain in 1949. Over the years, he gradually moved up the ranks and in 1971, as Major-General, he was made General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 12th Infantry Division, Murree. After nearly a decade as Major General, in 1979 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General in addition to being appointed...Read More